The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo), has announced the beginning of its planned cleaning and inspection of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) on Monday, November 25, 2024,
WAPCo in a statement said the comprehensive cleaning and inspection exercise is a key maintenance and regulatory requirement to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the pipeline.
It added that the exercise aligns with industry best practices, and will cover the entire pipeline infrastructure, from Itoki in Ogun State in Nigeria to Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana.
It is part of WAPCo’s ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of the WAGP and ensure its continued safe and reliable operation across the West African region.
“The project will be in two phases. The first phase which begins on Monday 25 November, involves the cleaning and inspection of the onshore section of the pipeline which is located in Nigeria. This first phase is scheduled to last for 10 days.
WAPCo has engaged relevant stakeholders ahead of this exercise and does not anticipate any major disruption to gas transportation services to customers.”
According to WAPCo, the second phase of the project is scheduled to begin in January 2025, stressing that it will temporarily suspend the reverse flow transportation of gas from the Western Region of Ghana to Tema within that period.
“This involves the cleaning and inspection of the main section of the pipeline, which is offshore, stretching from Badagry, in the Lagos State, Nigeria to Takoradi, in the Western Region of Ghana. During the offshore cleaning and inspection period in 2025, WAPCo will temporarily suspend reverse flow transportation of gas from the Western Region of Ghana to Tema, Ghana.
This will also necessitate the shutdown of key facilities in Tema, Ghana; Lomé, Togo; and Cotonou, Benin. Also, WAPCo will replace subsea valves located at these strategic locations to enhance operational safety.”